Anthony Allen, who has made a career of mentoring youths on Richmond’s North Side, is this year’s recipient of the Awesome Award.

The Awesome Award is presented by the Rising Sun Foundation, a philanthropic organization directed by Richmond native Kimberly Morris.

“The award goes to someone we all love who has served the community with little recognition over many years,” Morris said. “Anthony Allen couldn’t be more deserving.”

Allen, 61, has coached and taught life lessons to children ages 5 to 14 for the last 34 years at Hotchkiss Community Center in Highland Park.

His service has been under the umbrella of the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. Allen has been Hotchkiss’ supervisor since 2005. During the decades, he has coached the center’s baseball, basketball, football and soccer teams. Allen estimates that 130 children come out for football and cheerleading each fall.

He also has about 75 sign-ups each year for basketball and baseball.

Most of the children Allen works with attend Barack Obama and Overby-Sheppard elementary schools, Henderson Middle School and John Marshall High School.

A native of Hanover County, Allen played baseball, football and basketball at the school formerly known as Lee-Davis High School in Mechanicsville.

Allen becomes the second winner of the Awesome Award. Last year’s recipient was Michael Simpson, owner of Simpson’s Market in Highland Park.